![]() Scout D-1 rocket that used the Algol rocket stage at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, 2012. Algol stage and interstage are visible | |
Function | Rocket stage |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Aerojet Rocketdyne |
Size | |
Height | 9.4 metres (31 ft) |
Mass | 1,900 kilograms (4,200 lb) |
The Algol family of solid-fuel rocket stages and boosters is built by Aerojet (now Aerojet Rocketdyne) and used on a variety of launch vehicles. It was developed by Aerojet from the earlier Jupiter Senior and the Navy Polaris programs. [1] [2] Upgrades to the Algol motor occurred from 1960 until the retirement of the Scout launch vehicle in 1994.
The Algol family use solid propellant fuel with a loaded mass of 10,705 kg, and produces 470.93 kN of thrust. The motor has a specific Impulse of 236 seconds in a vacuum environment. Variations Algol I, I-D, II, II-A, II-BA popular rating was 40KS-115,000 (52,000 kgf for 40 seconds), also known as Senior.
They were initially developed as the first-stage of propulsion for the Scout rocket, with the design being based on the UGM-27 Polaris, a submarine-launched ballistic missile developed for the United States Navy at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. [3] [4]
This rocket design started as the Polaris test motor, 31 feet in length with a 40 inches (1.0 m) diameter steel case, [5] and 86,000 lbf of thrust. The eventual UGM-27 Polaris A-1 was larger, 28.5 feet (8.7 m) in length and 54 inches (1.4 m) in diameter. [6]
The Algol 1 was first used for a successful suborbital launch of a Scout X-1 rocket on September 2, 1960. [7] The rocket started as a UGM-27 Polaris test motor with a 40-inch diameter, the largest solid motor ever tested at the time. It had a nominal performance rating of 40 seconds duration and 45,000 kgf thrust. It was 19.42 feet (5.92 m) long, 2.6 feet (0.79 m) in diameter. [8] Later versions for Scout D scaled to 1.14 m (45 in) in diameter.
These are the basic specifications for the Algol 1 engine: [8]
Used on the Scout X (Cub Scout) test flight flown April 18, 1960. [9] served as prototype vehicle for eventual Scout rocket.
Used on Scout X-1, RM-89 Blue Scout I, and RM-90 Blue Scout II. [9]
Used on the Scout X-1A. [9] After this single flight, the Scout X-2 with Algol 1-D replaced this prototype.
It was first used on the Scout X-2 on March 29, 1962. [9] It continued to be used on Scout X-2 and Scout X-2M launches until 1963. The same year, it was also used on the Little Joe II Qualification Test Vehicle.
These are the basic specifications for the Algol 1-D engine: [10]
The Algol 2 (Algol II) series was first flown in 1962. It was used a first stage on Scout A, Scout B, Scout X-3 and Scout X-4.
Algol II was proposed as a strap-on motor for the 3BAS2 configuration of Titan 3B rocket proposed by Martin in the mid-1960s. It would have been used for deep space missions with a Centaur upper stage and strap-on for liftoff thrust augmentation. It was never flown. It was also proposed for the Athena RTX program in 1969, losing to Thiokol.
The Algol II-A was introduced in 1963 using the Aerojet 40 KS motor. It first flew on Scout X-3 in 1963. [9]
The Algol II-B was created after an Algol II-A flight failure, the nozzle was designed and designate the II-B model. It first flew on Scout X-4. [9]
These are the basic specifications for the Algol II-B engine: [11]
The Algol II-C flew on Scout A-1 and B-1. [9] Scout A-2, B-2, C and 2 versions planned for Algol II-C were never used.
These are the basic specifications for the Algol II-C engine: [12]